History of Berkhamsted Schools Group
Early years and Key Stage one Education for boys and girls is provided at Berkhamsted Pre-Prep, located at the Schools Haresfoot site, is set in a delightful eight acre woodland area at the edge of Berkhamsted
Berkhamsted Pre-Prep places each child at the centre of everything we do. Wellbeing is our first priority, and providing a high level of nurture and care is our primary focus Our team are skilled professionals who have an in-depth understanding of early child development At Pre-Prep we aim high to give children the best possible start to their education Learning opportunities are planned to provide challenge, developing not only knowledge but also the skills and aptitudes that allow our children to question, debate, collaborate and problem solve from a very young age
Children are taught to recognise failure as the key to success and school is a safe space where mistakes are key to acquiring mastery Our hope is to encourage their natural curiosity and passion for learning, laying the foundations that will allow them to make the most of the opportunities available to them
The latest ISI inspection of Berkhamsted Day Nursery and Pre-Prep in November 2023 captures our philosophy perfectly: “Teachers create positive relationships with pupils. This encourages pupils to risk making mistakes, and they contribute confidently to discussions They show an enthusiasm for learning ”
We strive to build positive relationships where children learn to socialise and work with each other and where kindness and respect are qualities that are celebrated and embraced Our excellent pastoral care gives our school a family feel where children learn the importance of serving others and the importance of being part of a community where everyone is valued
Part of the Berkhamsted Schools Group
Berkhamsted Pre-Prep School is one of six schools that make up Berkhamsted Schools Group Berkhamsted School is one of the country’s leading independent schools It has a structure that provides the best in both co-educational and single-sex education, offering small class sizes and appropriate teaching environments for each age group, from age 3 to 18.
The School’s ‘diamond’ structure allows boys and girls to be taught together until the age of 11 (at Berkhamsted Pre-Prep and at Berkhamsted Prep), separately from 11-16 (Berkhamsted Boys and Berkhamsted Girls), before coming back together again in a joint Sixth Form (Berkhamsted Sixth)
Job Description
Relationships and Responsibilities: -
Responsible to:
1. The Head Teacher directly
2. The Deputy Head and Class Teacher through the school’s management structure.
Responsible for:
All matters of delegated authority relating to the teaching, care and supervision of Children in the School
General aims and objectives
To perform the functions and services of a member of staff as described in the Staff Handbook
Main Purpose of the Job
To be a member of the adult team working together to create a safe, caring and stimulating environment in which each child can grow, learn and develop, and in which the best interests of the children will be served
Main Responsibilities
The Teaching Assistant is immediately responsible to the Class Teacher, who will offer a reasonable level of support and guidance, but will expect the following: -
Knowledge Needed:
1. An understanding of child development.
2. An appreciation of good childcare practice and current First Aid, Health and Safety provisions.
Job Description
3. A clear understanding of good educational practice. Keeping well informed about development in EYFS / Infant / Junior education and current thinking in children’s needs and development as appropriate
4. Know how to advance pupils’ learning through the use of ICT and can use common ICT tools for their own and pupil benefit (by understanding the software and learning programmes)
Skills Needed:
1 To be reliable, enthusiastic, adaptable, discreet and tolerant
2 To have the ability to observe
3. To have the ability to assess and record children’s needs and progress.
4. To have sensitivity towards both children and parents.
5. To have the ability to participate in the children’s activity and discussions in order to promote learning.
6. To have empathy with the children and come down physically to their level when working with them.
7 To enter a child’s play as a partner sharing the process
8 To know how to intervene sensitively (not interfere) when appropriate, so that the adult does not dominate the child, but equally not left to flounder.
9 To have the ability to assist the class teacher to manage the children’s behaviour
Job Description
10. To have the ability to plan, prepare and clear activities, as well as contribute towards the curriculum.
11. To have the ability to set up displays and interest tables.
12. To have the ability to be responsible for the maintenance of equipment and report any repairs required to the class teacher.
13. To have the ability to work with children with Additional Needs.
14. To have the ability to respect the dignity, individuality, beliefs and culture of each child.
15 To have the ability to maintain professional relationships and to communicate clearly
16. To have the ability to liaise with other specialists and to contribute to the shared knowledge of the child and his/her situation
17 To foster and maintain good general relations with parents, ensuring shared understanding of the children’s needs and development in close liaison with the class teacher.
18 To have the ability to contribute towards the life of the school through participation in lunch/playtimes and other relevant duties as well as meetings, In-Service training and functions (where applicable).
19. To have the ability to share in the responsibility for the children, the day to day routine, and the overall care of their years in school
20. To have the ability to assess and evaluate one ’ s own performance as a qualified Teaching Assistant in discussion with the Class Teacher / Team Leader
Job Description
To the Department / Class:
1. To take an active part in meetings.
2 To accept advice and instruction from the Class Teacher with regard to subject policies and schemes of work, maintenance of records and care of resources.
3. To keep the Class Teacher informed of any pupils who may be experiencing difficulties with the subject.
The Life of the School:
1. To correct any pupil who’s standard of behaviour, dress or cooperation fall below required standards.
2 To attend Assemblies, register the attendance of pupils and supervise children outside lesson time as agreed in the prepared rota, before/during/after school sessions as directed by the Deputy Head.
3 To use non-contact time effectively for preparation/marking/displays etc
4 To maintain high personal standards of appearance, behaviour and punctuality
5. To request prior approval from the Head Teacher for any absence from school and to give notice in writing to appropriate people, especially to the Deputy Head in good time, so that cover can be organised.
Performance Management:
1. To participate in arrangements made for your professional development review.
Job Description
4 Be professional Do not try to elicit from children adverse comments on colleagues or be heard to criticise or argue with other members of staff in front of pupils. If children criticise their teachers then follow up the criticism confidentially with the Head Teacher but support your colleagues, particularly until you have found out the truthfulness or otherwise of an indictment
5 If you wish to challenge a colleague on a particular matter then do so privately, in a friendly manner Serious criticism should be referred to the Head Teacher.
6 Children have the right to complain about you to another (appropriate) member of staff Avoid giving them any genuine reason for doing so. Always act in a way that you honestly believe to be right, justifiable and in the interests of the pupil. If you do this you will always find sympathy and support, even if something goes wrong.
Additional duties:
It is the nature of the work at the School that tasks and responsibilities are, in many circumstances, varied. All staff are, therefore, expected to work in a flexible way when occasion arises, when tasks which are not specifically covered in their job descriptions have to be undertaken These additional duties will normally be to cover unforeseen circumstances or changes and they will normally be compatible with the regular type of work If an additional responsibility or task becomes a regular or frequent part of the member of staff’s job, it will be included in the job description in consultation with the member of staff.
Confidentiality:
It is expected that all School employees will understand that our work is confidential and that personal details about children and families should not be discussed outside school.
Job Description
Note:
The job description may be reviewed at the end of an academic year or earlier if necessary. In addition it may be amended at any time after consultation with you
No job description can be fully comprehensive and will need to be reviewed and modified from time to time. The duties and responsibilities of the Teaching Assistant involve a commitment to work outside school hours as may be directed by the Head Teacher. It is expected that the Teaching Assistant will wish to enhance and develop the role in accordance with their own particular strengths and ideas and in the continuing development and success of the school.
Application and Next Steps
The closing date for applications is 21 June 2026
It is an offence to apply for this role if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children; applicants must be willing to undertake a number of safeguarding checks including an enhanced Disclosure and Barring (DBS) This post is also subject to receipt of written references which must be satisfactory to Berkhamsted Schools Group, along with documentary evidence of qualifications. A background screening service including a review of candidate’s online presence will be carried out as part of the recruitment process, by an independent third-party screening partner.
Successful applicants will need to provide confirmation of permission to work in the UK. Please note that under the Immigration Asylum and Nationality Act 2006, the school has an obligation to ensure applicants have the right to work in the UK prior to commencement of employment. (If it is found that those documents do not meet the legal requirement, an offer of employment will be withdrawn)
Where the successful candidate has worked or been a resident overseas in the previous five years, such checks and confirmations as the school may require in accordance with statutory guidance.
We aim to be an equal opportunities employer and we are determined to ensure that no applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of gender, age, disability, religion, belief, sexual orientation, marital status, or race
Candidates with a disability who are invited to interview should inform the School of any necessary reasonable adjustments or arrangements to assist them in attending the interview.
If you have any questions relating to this role please contact the HR department at recruitment@berkhamsted.com
Early applications are encouraged, and interviews may take place on a rolling basis We reserve the right to extend or close the deadline.
